I handled the 24-85 D on a shop D700 demo in Delft on Saturday and was quite impressed with it. It focussed quickly (in the shop) and with very little hesitation, a quick eyeball around the viewfinder and the sharpness was uniform over the frame

Does anyone here have this combination? Are you happy with it?

I don't want 24-70 users criticising the lens, general consensus of that lens is extremely positive, it's just is size, it's enormous, and I've encountered the words 'sample variation' even with this lens....

just objective remarks from D700/24-85D users.... I am not talking about the AF-S G version